Lawyers Beyond Borders: Advancing International Human Rights Through Local Laws and Courts

Millions of people have suffered and continue to suffer torture, slavery, or violent deaths, with no remedy or recourse. Lawyers Beyond Borders reveals the inner workings of the advances and retreats in the quest for redress and restoration of human rights for those whom international legal-political systems have failed. It is about how a small group of lawyers and survivors navigated a terrain of daunting barriers to begin building, case-by-case, new pathways to justice for those who otherwise would have none.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2021
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Despite international conventions and human rights declarations, millions of people have suffered and continue to suffer torture, slavery, or violent deaths, with no remedy or recourse. They have fallen, in essence, "below the law," outside of laws protection. Often violated by their own governments, sometimes with support from transnational corporations, or nations benefiting from human rights violations, how can these victims find justice?

Lawyers Beyond Borders reveals the inner workings of the advances and retreats in the quest for redress and restoration of human rights for those whom international legal-political systems have failed. The process of justice begins in the US, with a handful of human rights lawyers steeped in the American tradition of advancing civil rights through civil litigation. As the civil rights movement gained traction and an ample supply of lawyers, this small cadre turned their attention toward advancing international human rights, via the US legal system. They sought to build another piece of the rights revolution, this time for survivors of egregious human rights violations in faraway lands. These cases were among the most unlikely to be slated for victory: The abuses occurred abroad; the victims are aliens, usually with few, if any, resources; the perpetrators are politically powerful, resourced, and well connected, often members of governments, militaries, or multinational corporations. The legal and political systems structures are mostly stacked against these survivors, many who bear the scars of trauma and terror.

Lawyers Beyond Borders is about agency. It is about how, in the face of powerful interests and seemingly insurmountable obstacles—political, psychological, economic, geographical, and physical—a small group of lawyers and survivors have fought back against those who have perpetrated these crimes against humanity. Through their tireless efforts, they have sought to bring the perpetrators to justice, to hold them accountable for their actions, and to provide some measure of relief to the victims and their families.

The film follows a handful of these lawyers as they work on cases in countries such as Colombia, Guatemala, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It explores the challenges they face, including political opposition, resistance from the victims' communities, and the logistical difficulties of conducting investigations and trials in remote and often dangerous locations.

Despite these obstacles, the lawyers persevere. They use their legal expertise and advocacy skills to build cases against the perpetrators, to gather evidence, and to pressure governments and corporations to take action. They work tirelessly to ensure that the victims receive the justice they deserve and that the perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes.

One of the key themes of the film is the importance of international cooperation in the fight against human rights violations. The lawyers recognize that they cannot achieve justice on their own and that they need the support of governments, corporations, and other organizations to bring about change. They work closely with human rights organizations, international courts, and other stakeholders to build a global network of support for their cause.

Another theme of the film is the resilience of the human spirit. The lawyers and survivors featured in the film have faced incredible adversity and trauma, but they have not given up. They have found strength in each other, in their shared experiences, and in their determination to seek justice. They have shown that even in the face of the most daunting challenges, there is hope for a better future and that human rights can be protected and restored.

Lawyers Beyond Borders is a powerful and inspiring film that sheds light on the ongoing struggle for human rights around the world. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of the law to bring about change. It is a call to action for all of us to stand up and fight for the rights of those who have been marginalized and oppressed.

In conclusion, Lawyers Beyond Borders is a must-watch film for anyone who cares about human rights and the fight against injustice. It is a powerful and inspiring story that shows the resilience of the human spirit and the power of the law to bring about change. It is a call to action for all of us to stand up and fight for the rights of those who have been marginalized and oppressed.

Weight: 333g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472038855